Rag Dolls - A Playful Tradition
It might be hard to believe, but not that long ago, the most popular toys were not battery powered, didn't giggle when tickled, or light up, or make laser noises. The most popular toys were handmade ones, like the rag doll.
Rag dolls were originally made from left overs from when clothing and bedding were made. They weren't color coordinated, and rather than having long, luxurious, brush-able hair, they had a little crop of yarn, stitched X's for eyes, and a yarn smile. And they were cuddly and oh-so- huggable. The best thing about having one was that if she got torn or flat, mom (or whomever) could just cut open a seam, add more stuffing and re-stitch…she was good as new. Now, they can be purchased, complete with rag doll clothes, but still have the benefit of being easily repairable and wonderfully unique.
A rag doll could hear all of a child's secrets at night, and during the day still have time to attend a fancy tea party in the garden. This home made play is something children of today don't really have to do. Their dolls usually come with some type of play set, with their story already created. Just pop in new batteries, and the toy talks, so there is no reason for a child to animate it and create a voice just for that toy. This type of imagination play is nearly becoming a lost art. Sure, most children are able to create their own stories and games with their toys, whether or not the toys are preprogrammed, but a lot of kids don't do that as much as they used to.
Something simple and classic like a rag doll opens up all types of play, and they lasted longer and be lower maintenance than their plastic, molded counterparts. A plastic doll with a cracked hand will always have a cracked hand. A rag doll with a torn hand can just get sewn back up. They are pretty hard to destroy. It won't be the toy that breaks Christmas afternoon, just a few hours after the wrapping paper is torn off.
Perhaps the best thing about a rag doll is that it is timeless. A child who loves a rag doll will have that doll forever, eventually storing it lovingly and safely for the time when she has her own child who needs a doll to love. Each adventure that a prepackaged molded doll can have is one that a rag doll can have too. However, instead of a mechanical voice crying "mommy" over and over, their voice can change with her mistress' whim, and can say anything that the adventure calls for.
The technologically advanced toys of today are wonderful, and they have their place in every toy chest. However, the simple, imagination fueled rag dolls of yesterday will always have a place in a child’s arms.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Related posts:
- Disney’s Christmas present their latest princess The gorgeous Princess Tiana is the protagonist of Disney’s upcoming 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. The film will be released in US theaters...
- Baby Shower Games So you’ve gotten the job of planning a shower for someone who is expecting. This is both an exciting and frustrating thing. It’s wonderful knowing...
- The Best Toys For Babies To Experience The World Around Them Babies loves to explore the world around them and touch their new world. The best baby learning toys to experience this is to provide them...
- Five Baby Gifts You Have To Have Infant’s First Gifts [Your new infant|The new baby|A little baby|Your bundle of joy] has [joined the family|arrived] and as he [matures|grows] you will [certainly realize|soon...
- Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby’s Blocks An Ideal Gift This Xmas Time A matter that has concerned many parents over the years is: Exactly what makes the ideal gift for baby’s first Xmas? Fisher -Price Brilliant Basics...